Beckhoff has introduced its universal control solution for all the technical systems of a building, including components for simple and safe communication with cloud systems. With demonstrations of cloud-based control of HVAC systems as well as showcases for forward-looking topics, such as Microsoft’s HoloLens and Amazon’s voice-driven digital assistant Alexa, Beckhoff has shown what is already possible today, and is set to become commonplace in the future in a smart building. Beckhoff offers all hardware and software components, enabling the implementation of IoT, Big Data and analytics applications as well as secure cloud communication. HVAC manufacturers, system integrators and operators alike derive many benefits from direct IoT integration into the central building control: simpler and faster engineering, centralised, cloud-based energy data analysis, transparent trend recording and simplified handling of data.
Easy integration of IoT communication capabilities into standard control technology with TwinCAT IoT is possible for both new projects and retrofits. The IoT integration can be realised using either Beckhoff or third-party control technology, or alternatively, the Beckhoff IoT Coupler without any control system.
Support for standardised protocols, such as AMQP, MQTT and OPC UA, ensures easy and secure communication with cloud systems. The TwinCAT IoT Communicator app enables direct access to TwinCAT process data via mobile devices. TwinCAT Analytics ensures seamless data acquisition in synchronisation with machine cycles, providing an ideal basis for predictive system maintenance.
Cloud-based building automation: the benefits
System integrators can use system-spanning PC-based building control from Beckhoff to accelerate the engineering process, respond faster to planning changes and to integrate or retrofit connectivity for private or public cloud systems directly in standard control technology based on TwinCAT IoT. Building operators receive fast, flexible as well as time- and location-independent access to all recorded energy consumption data over the cloud connection integrated into the control technology. Transparent trend recordings can be leveraged to optimise the energy management in a smart building. Beckhoff offers HVAC equipment manufacturers a holistic control solution across all technical building systems with integrated IoT connectivity. This means that complex heating systems can be controlled efficiently and energy consumption can be reduced on a cloud basis with TwinCAT IoT.
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